Abstract: Visfatin and apelin are two new adipokines that recently gained a special interest in diabetes research. This study was conducted to study the interplay between these two adipokines and their correlation with other inflammatory and biochemical parameters in type 2 diabetic (T2D) postmenopausal women with CAD. Visfatin and apelin were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Visfatin was found to be significantly higher in the following groups: T2D patients without CAD, non-obese and obese T2D patients with CAD when compared to control group. Apelin was found to be significantly lower in non-obese and obese T2D patients with CAD when compared to control group. Visfatin and apelin were found to be significantly associated with each other and with other biochemical parameters. The current study provides evidence for the interplay between visfatin and apelin through the inflammatory milieu characteristic of T2D and their possible role in the pathogenesis of CAD complication of T2D.
Abstract: Modern culture, based on disinhibition of cultural trends and on heterodirection, is promoting openmindedness attitudes towards ethnic diversity, but on the other hand also new forms of social representations of the foreigner. Social representation is situated between the psychic field and the social one; it is the representation of oneself and of the other one, hanging between social categories and individual inner world. We will produce the results of a research on the representation of the foreigner, built on the type of prejudice prevailing among middle-low or middle-high educational qualification subjects, in which prejudicial attitudes seem to descend from precise mental images of the foreigner.
Abstract: Kwashiorkor is one of nutritional problem in
Indonesia, which lead to decrease immune system. This condition
causes susceptibility to infectious disease, especially tuberculosis.
Development of new tuberculosis vaccine will be an important
strategy to eliminate tuberculosis in kwashiorkor. Previous research
showed that 38-kDa Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein is one of the
potent immunogen. However, the role of oral immunization with 38-
kDa Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein to the number of
lymphocytes in the rat model of kwashiorkor is still unknown. We
used kwashiorkor rat model groups with 4% and 2% low protein diet.
Oral immunization with 38-kDa Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein
given with 2 booster every week. The lymphocytes number were
measured by flowcytometry. There was no significant difference
between the number of lymphocytes in the normal rat group and the
kwashiorkor rat groups. It may reveal the role of 38-kDa
Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein as a potent immunogen that can
increase the lymphocytes number from kwashiorkor rat model same
as normal rat.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to study in depth some
methodological aspects of social interventation, focusing on desirable
passage from social maternage method to peer advocacy method. For
this purpose, we intend analyze social and organizative components,
that affect operator-s professional action and that are part of his
psychological environment, besides the physical and social one. In
fact, operator-s interventation should not be limited to a pure supply
of techniques, nor to take shape as improvised action, but “full of
good purposes".
Abstract: Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) is a
potyvirus with a worldwide distribution. This virus causes serious
economic losses in Iran in many leguminoses. During 20008,
samples were collected from soybeans fields in Tehran Province.
Four isolates (S1, S2 and S3) were inoculated on 15 species of
Cucurbitaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Solanacae and Leguminosae.
Chenopodium quinoa and C. amaranticolor.
Did not developed any symptoms.all isolates caused mosaic
symptoms on Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Red Kidney and P. vulgaris cv.
Bountiful. The molecular weights of coat protein using SDS-PAGE
and western blotting were estimated at 33 kDa. Reverse transcription
polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using one
primer pairs designed by L. XU et al. An approximately 920 bp
fragment was amplified with a specific primer.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to study in depth some methodological aspects of social interventation, focusing on desirable passage from social maternage method to peer advocacy method. For this purpose, we intend analyze social and organizative components, that affect operator's professional action and that are part of his psychological environment, besides the physical and social one. In fact, operator's interventation should not be limited to a pure supply of techniques, nor to take shape as improvised action, but “full of good purposes".
Abstract: NFκB is a transcription factor regulating many
function of the vessel wall. In the normal condition , NFκB is
revealed diffuse cytoplasmic expressionsuggesting that the system is
inactive. The presence of activation NFκB provide a potential
pathway for the rapid transcriptional of a variety of genes encoding
cytokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules and procoagulatory
factors. It is likely to play an important role in chronic inflamatory
disease involved atherosclerosis. There are many stimuli with the
potential to active NFκB, including hyperlipidemia. We used 24 mice
which was divided in 6 groups. The HFD given by et libitum
procedure during 2, 4, and 6 months. The parameters in this study
were the amount of NFKB activation ,H2O2 as ROS and VCAM-1 as
a product of NFKB activation. H2O2 colorimetryc assay performed
directly using Anti Rat H2O2 ELISA Kit. The NFKB and VCAM-1
detection obtained from aorta mice, measured by ELISA kit and
imunohistochemistry. There was a significant difference activation of
H2O2, NFKB and VCAM-1 level at induce HFD after 2, 4 and 6
months. It suggest that HFD induce ROS formation and increase the
activation of NFKB as one of atherosclerosis marker that caused by
hyperlipidemia as classical atheroschlerosis risk factor.
Abstract: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a new worldwide public
health problem. A diagnosis of this disease using creatinine is still a
problem in clinical practice. Therefore, a measurement of biomarkers
responsible for AKI has received much attention in the past couple
years. Cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) was reported as one of the
early biomarkers for AKI. The most commonly used method to
detect this biomarker is an immunoassay. This study used a planar
platform to perform an immunoassay using fluorescence for
detection. In this study, anti-IL-18 antibody was immobilized onto a
microscope slide using a covalent binding method. Make-up samples
were diluted at the concentration between 10 to 1000 pg/ml to create
a calibration curve. The precision of the system was determined
using a coefficient of variability (CV), which was found to be less
than 10%. The performance of this immunoassay system was
compared with the measurement from ELISA.
Abstract: An implant elicits a biological response in the
surrounding tissue which determines the acceptance and long-term
function of the implant. Dental implants have become one of the
main therapy methods in clinic after teeth lose. A successful implant
is in contact with bone and soft tissue represent by fibroblasts. In our
study we focused on the interaction between six different chemically
and physically modified titanium implants (Tis-MALP, Tis-O, Tis-
OA, Tis-OPAAE, Tis-OZ, Tis-OPAE) with alveolar fibroblasts as
well as with five type of microorganisms (S. epidermis, S.mutans, S.
gordonii, S. intermedius, C.albicans). The analysis of microorganism
adhesion was determined by CFU (colony forming unite) and biofilm
formation. The presence of α3β1 and vinculin expression on alveolar
fibroblasts was demonstrated using phospho specific cell based
ELISA (PACE). Alveolar fibroblasts have the highest expression of
these proteins on Tis-OPAAE and Tis-OPAE. It corresponds with
results from bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation and it was
related to the lowest production of collagen I by alveolar fibroblasts
on Tis-OPAAE titanium disc.
Abstract: We investigated oxidative DNA damage caused by
radio frequency radiation using 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2'-
deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) generated in mice tissues after exposure
to 900 MHz mobile phone radio frequency in three independent
experiments. The RF was generated by a Global System for Mobile
Communication (GSM) signal generator. The radio frequency field
was adjusted to 25 V/m. The whole body specific absorption rate
(SAR) was 1.0 W/kg. Animals were exposed to this field for 30 min
daily for 30 days. 24 h post-exposure, blood serum, brain and spleen
were removed and DNA was isolated. Enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure 8-oxodG
concentration. All animals survived the whole experimental period.
The body weight of animals did not change significantly at the end of
the experiment. No statistically significant differences observed in
the levels of oxidative stress. Our results are not in favor of the
hypothesis that 900 MHz RF induces oxidative damage.
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to demonstrate that differentiation of infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA) strategy using different ELISA tests is possible when a subunit vaccine (Haemagglutinin protein) is used to prevent Avian influenza. Special emphasis was placed on the differentiation in the serological response to different components of the AIV (Nucleoprotein, Neuraminidase, Haemagglutinin, Nucleocapsid) between chickens that were vaccinated with a whole virus kill vaccine and recombinant vaccine. Furthermore, the potential use of this DIVA strategy using ELISA assays to detect Neuraminidase 1 (N1) was analyzed as strategy in countries where the field virus is H5N1 and the vaccine used is formulated with H5N2. Detection of AIV-s antibodies to any component in serum was negative for all animals on the study days 0-13. At study day 14 the titers of antibodies against Nucleoprotein (NP) and Nucleocapsid (NC) rose in the experimental groups vaccinated with Volvac® AI KV and were negatives during all the trial in the experimental groups vaccinated with a subunit H5; significant statistically differences were observed between these groups (p < 0.05). The seroconversion either Haemagglutinin or Neuraminidase was evident after 21 days post-vaccination in the experimental groups vaccinated with the respective viral fraction. Regarding the main aim of this study and according with the results that were obtained, use a combination of different ELISA test as a DIVA strategy is feasible when the vaccination is carry out with a subunit H5 vaccine. Also is possible to use the ELISA kit to detect Neuraminidase (either N1 or N2) as a DIVA concept in countries where H5N1 is present and the vaccination programs are done with H5N2 vaccine.
Abstract: This paper aims at overviewing the topics of a research project (CARDIOSENSOR) on the field of health sciences (biomaterials and biomedical engineering). The project has focused on the development of a nanosensor for the assessment of the risk of cardiovascular diseases by the monitoring of C-reactive protein (CRP), which has been currently considered as the best validated inflammatory biomarker associated to cardiovascular diseases. The project involves tasks such as: 1) the development of sensor devices based on field effect transistors (FET): assembly, optimization and validation; 2) application of sensors to the detection of CRP in standard solutions and comparison with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and 3) application of sensors to real samples such as blood and saliva and evaluation of their ability to predict the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Abstract: The purpose of our study was to compare spontaneous
re-epithelisation characteristics versus assisted re-epithelisation. In
order to assess re-epithelisation of the injured skin, we have imagined
and designed a burn wound model on Wistar rat skin. Our aim was to
create standardised, easy reproducible and quantifiable skin lesions
involving entire epidermis and superficial dermis. We then have
applied the above mentioned therapeutic strategies to compare
regeneration of epidermis and dermis, local and systemic parameter
changes in different conditions. We have enhanced the reepithelisation
process under a moist atmosphere of a polyurethane
wound dress modified with helium non-thermal plasma, and with the
aid of direct cold-plasma treatment respectively. We have followed
systemic parameters change: hematologic and biochemical
parameters, and local features: oxidative stress markers and histology
of skin in the above mentioned conditions. Re-epithelisation is just a
part of the skin regeneration process, which recruits cellular
components, with the aid of epidermal and dermal interaction via
signal molecules.
Abstract: Snake bite cases in Malaysia most often involve the
species Naja-naja and Calloselasma rhodostoma. In keeping with the
need for a rapid snake venom detection kit in a clinical setting, plate
and dot-ELISA test for the venoms of Naja-naja sumatrana,
Calloselasma rhodostoma and the cobra venom fraction V antigen
was developed. Polyclonal antibodies were raised and further used to
prepare the reagents for the dot-ELISA test kit which was tested in
mice, rabbit and virtual human models. The newly developed dot-
ELISA kit was able to detect a minimum venom concentration of
244ng/ml with cross reactivity of one antibody type. The dot-ELISA
system was sensitive and specific for all three snake venom types in
all tested animal models. The lowest minimum venom concentration
detectable was in the rabbit model, 244ng/ml of the cobra venom
fraction V antigen. The highest minimum venom concentration was
in mice, 1953ng/ml against a multitude of venoms. The developed
dot-ELISA system for the detection of three snake venom types was
successful with a sensitivity of 95.8% and specificity of 97.9%.
Abstract: The aim of this work was to study the in vitro effects
of δ-lactam 1 and its 4-chlorophenyl derivative 2, on the proliferative
responses of human lymphocytes and Th1 and Th2 cytokine
secretion. The possible protective role of vitamin E on intracellular
stress oxidative induced by these compounds was also investigated.
Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated using differential
centrifugation on a density gradient of Histopaque. They were
cultured with mitogen concanavalin A, vitamin E (10 μM) and with
different concentrations of the compounds 1 and 2 (0.1 to 10 μM).
Proliferation (MTT assay), IL-2, INFγ and IL-4 (Elisa kits),
intracellular superoxide anion were determined. 1 and 2 were
immunostimulant and increased cytokine secretion with a shift away
from Th1 response to Th2. These properties were however
accompanied by an increase in intracellular oxidative stress. The
presence of vitamin E exhibited protective effects by reducing δ-
lactam-induced superoxide anion generation in lymphocytes.
Abstract: This study focuses on examining why the range of
experience with respect to HIV infection is so diverse, especially in
regard to the latency period. An agent-based approach in modelling
the infection is used to extract high-level behaviour which cannot be
obtained analytically from the set of interaction rules at the cellular
level. A prototype model encompasses local variation in baseline
properties, contributing to the individual disease experience, and is
included in a network which mimics the chain of lymph nodes. The
model also accounts for stochastic events such as viral mutations.
The size and complexity of the model require major computational
effort and parallelisation methods are used.
Abstract: We report on the development of a model to
understand why the range of experience with respect to HIV
infection is so diverse, especially with respect to the latency period.
To investigate this, an agent-based approach is used to extract highlevel
behaviour which cannot be described analytically from the set
of interaction rules at the cellular level. A network of independent
matrices mimics the chain of lymph nodes. Dealing with massively
multi-agent systems requires major computational effort. However,
parallelisation methods are a natural consequence and advantage of
the multi-agent approach and, using the MPI library, are here
implemented, tested and optimized. Our current focus is on the
various implementations of the data transfer across the network.
Three communications strategies are proposed and tested, showing
that the most efficient approach is communication based on the
natural lymph-network connectivity.